Category Manager II – Creamer, Yogurt, Dessert

Kroger; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Kroger is seeking a Category Manager II for Creamer, Yogurt, and Dessert in Cincinnati. Lead a large category with 4Ps accountability across all channels, owning assortment, financials, and strategy with input from support teams to deliver data-driven local strategies.

Responsibilities include formulating short/long-term category plans, managing SKU life cycles, planograms, pricing, promotions, and vendor relations while coaching direct reports and aligning with Our Brands and divisions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in replenishment buying, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization and multi-tasking with analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop formal category strategies and tactics across channels to deliver a unified customer experience.
• Monitor trends, market share, and competition; elevate communication of initiatives across teams.
• Drive end-to-end product lifecycle, including adds/deletes and cross-functional meetings.

Skills

Replenishment buying

Merchandising

Store ops

Operations

Brand management

Microsoft Office

Organization

Multi-tasking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Coaching

Attention to detail

Oral/written communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

NEXT

Stratum

Job description

Category Manager II – Creamer, Yogurt, Dessert

Job Description

Serve as the leader of a category of medium to large size and/or complexity and have the 4Ps accountability across all channels. Responsible for owning end-to-end assortment, financials, and overall category strategy with inputs from support teams to make data-driven decisions that reflect local needs. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Develop formalized short and long-term category strategies and tactics that deliver a unified customer experience across all channels (brick & mortar, extended aisle, digital shelf)
• Stay ahead of and respond to industry/customer trends; understand market share and competition; elevate communication to relevant parties (i.e., Our Brands or Divisions) with changes and important initiatives
• Understand all available levers across 4Ps to drive category forward and achieve KPIs and goals; be proficient across all systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.); drive and manage full product life-cycle, including add/deletes and relevant cross-functional meetings
• Build assortment after reviewing data from vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands; gather division input during feedback window, managing expectations and communication on segmentation and local assortment needs
• Oversee plan-o-gram process, including deadlines, placement, and flow, ensuring guidelines are met
• Track and monitor SKU performance and adjust assortment, as needed, to meet financial and strategic goals
• Maintain category budgets, forecasts, and plans; understand contribution to total enterprise and division goals
• Establish price and category architecture and provide input on trends for programs
• Review inclusion in pricing programs with an eye to item financial performance and category strategy
• Set base prices and use data to evaluate decisions to deviate from pricing algorithm recommendations
• Determine response to competitor price moves or cost change based on recommendation from Pricing team
• Oversee promotional strategy to engage customers and drive excitement
• Review past ad performance and define promo strategies & goals, including A/B strategies for major promos
• Select products for promotion, leveraging data on shelf capacity, number of stores selling, display locations
• Set starting promotional prices and define guardrails for promo planners as they tailor prices to divisions
• Understand timing of Test & Learns and how to properly manage process
• Oversee end-to-end product flow and provide direction for stores/replenishment when supply issues occur
• Manage strategic vendor relationships, including communicating priorities and assortment opportunities, identifying long-term supply changes, negotiating competitive prices, and staying ahead of industry trends
• Engage vendors, source promo offers, decide on awards; provide directional forecast needs
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in one of the following areas: replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Strong organization and multi-tasking skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent oral/written communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Any vendor negotiations or promo planning experience
• Any division sales manager, store coordinator, or store manager experience

Job Info

• Job Identification 233838
• Job Category Category Management/Merchandising
• Posting Date 09/25/2026, 05:41 PM
• Locations 1014 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, US (On-site)

The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you.